Sam’s sword hovered above the Demon Commander’s neck, its blade glinting under the moonlight, now stained crimson with blood. The Commander, despite the gaping wound in its chest, smirked faintly, blood trickling from its mouth.


    “Any last words, demon scum?” Sam growled, his voice heavy with rage.


    The demon chuckled weakly, the sound rasping like wind through hollow bones. “Con…gra…tu…lations…,” it wheezed. “Y…ou’ve…defeated…the t…wenty…weakest…of us. This…isn’t…the…last… of demonkind… W…e will…return…w…ith vengeance.”


    Sam’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. He couldn’t take any chances. With one swift motion, he severed the demon’s head, sending it tumbling to the blood-soaked ground. The body slumped, lifeless, but the weight of the encounter remained.


    He staggered back, staring at his bloodied hands. The sight made his stomach churn. Around him, the battlefield lay in haunting silence. Corpses littered the ground, their lifeless forms painting a macabre tableau of torn limbs and crimson pools. Sam''s heart raced. The metallic stench of blood hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, he felt like he was suffocating.


    But then reality crashed back in.


    “Mum! Dad!” Sam shouted, his voice raw and frantic. His legs propelled him forward as he searched through the chaos, his chest tightening with every second they were nowhere in sight. “Where are you?”


    Panic clawed at him as he fumbled through his system interface. “Open shop!” he commanded breathlessly. His eyes darted over the options until he found it: a Tier 4 Healing Potion. The cost drained his remaining credits, but he didn’t care.


    Potion in hand, he sprinted, his vision blurring as adrenaline coursed through his veins. His heart soared when he spotted a figure struggling to stand in the distance.


    “Mum!” he cried, pushing his exhausted body faster.


    Claire was on her knees, her face pale, blood staining her clothes. Sam dropped to her side, uncorking the potion. “Drink this, Mum,” he pleaded, his voice trembling.


    She hesitated, her eyes scanning his face. “Sam, what—”


    “Please!” he interrupted, desperation breaking his voice.


    Claire gave in, taking a sip. A soothing green mist enveloped her, mending her wounds and sealing the gashes on her frail body. She gasped softly as the pain ebbed away.


    When her healing was complete, Sam turned to Caross. His father’s body was motionless, his chest barely rising. Sam poured the remaining potion into his father’s mouth, praying it wasn’t too late. The green mist worked its magic, knitting together Caross’ wounds. Sam checked his pulse, his fingers trembling. Relief flooded him when he felt a faint but steady beat.


    “They’ll be okay,” he whispered to himself, but the adrenaline had run out. His limbs felt like lead, and his vision darkened. He collapsed to the ground, his face landing in the demon’s blood.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    <hr>


    Sam’s consciousness drifted into a void of endless black, broken only by tendrils of white mist curling through the emptiness. He glanced down at himself, realizing with a jolt that he was in his old body—his body from Earth.


    “Where am I? Did I die?” he murmured. “Is this… heaven?”


    “No,” a voice answered, smooth and melodic, but tinged with an otherworldly power. “This is my domain.”


    Sam spun around, trying to pinpoint the voice. “Who are you? Show yourself!”


    The mist coalesced into the form of a woman, her presence radiating divinity. Her golden hair cascaded like sunlight, and her eyes sparkled with galaxies.


    “I am Melissa, the goddess who brought you to this world. You may thank me for granting your wish,” she said with a faint smile.


    “My wish? What are you talking about?” Sam demanded, his confusion giving way to anger.


    Melissa tilted her head, as if amused by his defiance. “Oh, my dear reincarnated soul, have you forgotten? You wished for this life—a chance to start anew in a world filled with adventure and power.”


    “I didn’t wish for this kind of nightmare!” Sam snapped. “I didn’t ask for my parents to be put in danger!”


    Melissa’s smile faltered. “Be careful, little one. I saved your soul from nothingness. Without me, you wouldn’t exist in any form.”


    Sam clenched his fists, the words stinging but not enough to quell his frustration. “Then tell me—why? Why this world? Why now?”


    “I’ll explain in time,” Melissa said cryptically. “For now, it’s better you don’t know. If I told you everything, the balance of this world—and perhaps the multiverse—could collapse under the wrath of a being no one can defeat.”


    Sam’s lips curled in frustration. “You’re dodging the question—”


    “Enough,” she interrupted, her voice sharp but not unkind. “You’ve earned a gift for your efforts. Or, if you prefer, I’ll answer one question.”


    Sam hesitated, torn. After a moment, he said, “I’ll take both.”


    Melissa chuckled. “Bold of you, but I’ll allow it.”


    He took a breath. “I’ve heard my parents talk about emotion enhancers and rage forms. What are they?”


    Melissa’s expression turned serious. “Emotion Enhancers let you amplify a single emotion—happiness, anger, rage, sadness, and so on. Each emotion grants unique benefits, but it comes with flaws. As you level the enhancer, both the benefits and flaws grow stronger.”


    “And rage forms?”


    “They’re powerful transformations, but they’re dangerous,” Melissa warned. “There are fifteen levels. The first is the weakest but safest. Forms beyond thirteen risk corruption, turning you into something monstrous. Only those with strong will and proper rage management can wield such power without losing themselves.”


    Sam nodded slowly. “Got it. Now, what’s my gift?”


    Melissa waved her hand, and a faint glow surrounded Sam. “You’ll find out when the time is right. For now, wake up. The world still needs you.”


    <hr>


    Sam’s eyes fluttered open, his body heavy and sore. He glanced around, recognizing the familiar walls of his home.


    The door creaked open, and Claire stepped inside with a plate of apple slices. The moment she saw him awake, the plate clattered to the floor as she rushed to his side, pulling him into a fierce hug.


    “Sam!” she sobbed. “Don’t ever scare us like that again! We thought we’d lost you!”


    Sam buried his face in her shoulder, her tears soaking into his hair. “I’m sorry, Mom,” he whispered. “I’ll get stronger. I promise.”


    Caross entered the room moments later, his face breaking into a relieved smile. “He’s awake,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.


    <hr>


    Over the next few days, Sam learned he’d been unconscious for six days. His parents had tried everything to wake him, calling on the village’s best doctors. But it was his own recovery system that had saved him.


    One week later, they held a massive birthday celebration for him. Though it was a quieter affair, with just the villagers, Sam cherished it. This time, no demons came to ruin the day. For once, he allowed himself to feel like a child again.


    As the party wound down, Sam gazed at the books on magic his parents had gifted him and made a silent vow. This world may be dangerous, but I’ll survive it. I’ll protect the people I love. No matter what it takes.